"This isn't my first rodeo," Redskins QB Kirk Cousins said of rallying from a slow start Sunday. "You've got to have character, you've got to find it within yourself to dig deep and keep pushing."Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Robert Griffin III wanted to play. He thought he was healthy enough to do so. And he wasn't happy that he didn't.

Instead, the rookie strolled the sidelines and reminded fellow first-year player Kirk Cousins not to "freakout" when it all didn't begin as the Washington Redskins backup quarterback had hoped. Cousins discovered how to navigate a role that "test(s) your soul" weekly.

Cousins emerged with his soul intact, and an impressive starting debut in which the Michigan State product completed 26 of 37 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns in Washington's 38-21 victory over the Browns.

"If I die tomorrow, I can say I started a game in the NFL and we won," Cousins said. "It's a good feeling."

Griffin was told late Saturday evening that the Redskins would hold him out Sunday due to the knee injury he suffered a week ago. That was when Cousins was at last able to text friends and family in Michigan. What as good news for Cousins was frustrating for Griffin, who said he was "not happy with the decision" to miss the game.

"It felt good to me," Griffin said of his strained left knee ligament. "That was the thing. I felt like I could have played. But at the end of the day, it worked out great for us. I couldn't be any more happy for this team and for Kirk."

At first, it looked as if the decision might be the Redskins' downfall. Cousins began shakily, with two incompletions and an interception to Browns safety T.J. Ward that Cleveland scored on one play later. That was when Griffin preached calm to his fellow rookie and when Cousins found a way to settle into a rhythm.

"This isn't my first rodeo," Cousins said. "I've played a lot of football in the Big Ten. I've had games like that where you start slow. You've got to have character, you've got to find it within yourself to dig deep and keep pushing."

Cousins found the slimmest of openings in a 54-yard TD pass to receiver Leonard Hankerson, dropping the ball between Browns defensive backs Usama Young and Sheldon Brown.

After Cousins connected on his first touchdown pass, he settled into the Redskins' play-action-heavy offense. In the second half, Cousins helped lead the Redskins to two quick touchdowns, including another toss to Hankerson.

Cousins did it all in front of dozens of family members and friends who traveled from his hometown of Holland, Mich., and his college town of East Lansing, Mich. A couple of his friends, he said, were so dedicated to seeing him play that they even found seats in the Dawg Pound.

The whole experience was an invaluable lesson for Cousins, he said, as he learned just how difficult it is to be a starting NFL quarterback.

"I will say this, I've got a lot more respect for Robert, Rex Grossman and what it takes to be a starter in this league," Cousins said. "It'll test your soul every week. This game takes a lot out of you, and I was able to experience that first-hand today. It'll test you."

Griffin would have liked a chance for his soul to be tested, too, but grudgingly admitted it all worked out in the end.

"We're in first place in our division and it was just a great business trip for us," Griffin said. "Overall, I was not happy with the decision. [But] I got healthier by not playing and we won the game and put ourselves in a position to control our own destiny."

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